Nashville Christian Singer Admits The Dark Rumors About Him …Are True

Christian singer Michael Tait, member of popular groups DC Talk and Newsboys, is coming clean about how he's been living throughout his career. But trust us when we tell you, it's not anything you would've ever expected.

For a bit of context, Tait abruptly stepped away from his role in Newsboys back in January, leaving many fans confused and his bandmates scrambling to figure out how they'd go on with their tour without their lead singer. At the time, he was silent about his departure but his reasoning began to get a little clearer once the top of June rolled around and an investigative report from The Roys Report went live just last week.

In it, it revealed through over 50 sources that Tait had allegedly engaged in "predatory grooming," abused drugs, and labeled him as "Nashville’s worst-kept secret." The report detailed accounts from three men who claim they all had run-ins with Tait when they were all 22 years old. They all alleged instances of either alcohol or drug use and unwanted, non-consensual fondling and touching of their private parts.

In the immediate aftermath of the report, the rest of the Newsboys members put out a statement saying that when Tait initially left the group earlier in the year, he never told them specifically why he was leaving and that they were "shattered" to read about the allegations. They also said that they didn't condone any forms of sexual assault and gave kind words to the alleged victims. Interestingly enough, in a separate post, one of the group members noted that they had previously heard rumors years before about Tait's alleged behavior but "each time something came up we tried to find the source and no one would tell us.”

Now, in addition to that report and through Tait's own words: all those rumors appear to be true. Revealing his admission in a lengthy post to Instagram on Tuesday, Tait explained how he'd been living a "double life" and "lied and deceived" his family, friends and bandmates for years. Specifically, Tait confessed to cocaine abuse, excessive alcohol use, and non-consensual touching with men.

"Recent reports of my reckless and destructive behavior, including drug and alcohol abuse and sexual activity are sadly, largely true. For some two decades I used and abused cocaine, consumed far too much alcohol, and, at times, touched men in an unwanted sensual way," Tait began. "I am ashamed of my life choices and actions, and make no excuses for them. I will simply call it what God calls it-sin. I don’t blame anyone or anything but myself. While I might dispute certain details in the accusations against me, I do not dispute the substance of them."

He went on to explain how after he left Newsboys, he enrolled in a treatment center in Utah for six weeks to get the help he needed. As a result, he's been sober the last six months and been working on "a path to health, healing, and wholeness." However, it looks like he's still taking responsibility for the life he's lived and the damage he caused.

“I have hurt so many people in so many ways, and I will live with that shameful reality the rest of my life. I can only dream and pray for human forgiveness, because I certainly don’t deserve it," he said.

"I have even accepted the thought that God may be the only One who ultimately and completely forgives me. Still, I want to say I’m sorry to everyone I have hurt. I am truly sorry," he concluded, in part. "It is my hope and prayer that all those I have hurt will receive healing, mercy, and hope from the Merciful Healer and Hope-Giver."